Loading device for a packaging machine



July 5, 1960 A. o. vAN vAcToR ETAI- 2,943,429

LOADING DEVICE FOR A PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 5, 1960 A. o. VAN vAcToR ETAL 2,943,429

LOADING DEVICE FOR A PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.v `Qaafa %n/ wo@ L me 605,574

July s, 1960 LOADING DEVICE FCR A PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 73' 7i 74 i. L 101 `I Il :il 10,2/

BAG V 98 V FORMING MACHINE 3Q i0 8F k :I 'i a1 :f ,147 |17 AIR ll f J. L g l 3 g g PRESSURE los 9 5' u l i INVENTORS ammm 54 LOADING DEVICE FOR A PACKAGING MACHINE Alburtus '0. Van 'Vactor, R.^R. 1, Box 207, Rolling Prairie, Ind., and Eugene C. Lash, 3323 S. Fellows Ave., South Bend, Ind.`

Filed 'July v29, 1959 Ser. No. 830,334

9 Claims- `(Cl. 53--182) The present invention relates -to a packaging machine of the type wherein theitems to be packaged are inserted between two sheets of film, which sheets are joined along .two of the longitudinal edges, with the machine thenrnishing the forming of a bag about the item from said sheets; and toa 'loading attachment for such machines.

There are numerous'types of machines available for the Apackaging of products. One type of machine forms a `bag about the item to be packaged utilizing film provided =from a roll of a continuous double sheet. The two sheets on this roll are joined at or adjacent one of thelongi-tudinal edges of each sheet. The joint may result either from the folding of a single sheet before they are A p ut on aroll so as to provide the double, joined sheets, or by starting with two "individual sheets and joining them together without folding. The films Yare suspended vertically with a s pacejprovided 'between the two sheets.

yAt Ythe bottom ofthe two -sheets (as they are suspendt-ed) the -t-wo -sheets are joined together `with a new -joint at this point being formed each time a 'bag is produced for the packaging of Van item -to define an envelope -to receive -the items to be packaged. The item to be packaged is inserted into this envelope through the unjoi-ned side and a measured amount of the `sheets with the item suspended ytherein is lowered through a sealing head.

Thereafter, the sealing head closes above the item 'being packaged, making a double seal, one-half of which forms the -third side of the bag in which the item is being packaged and Athe .ot-her half forming a lclosed second side which is thebottom ofthe succeeding envelope `to recei-vethe succeeding 'item lto ibe packaged.

'The principal object of the present invention is to provide 1a loading structure for such -a packaging lmachine to Ifacilitate :the loading ofthe -machine and to speed the packaging operation. This loading device may be constructed as `apiece of original equipment of the packaging machine -or it maybe made as -an attachment Jto be added to :existing packaging machines.

Other objects and advantages of our invention include: the proper positioning of the `films to receive the items to be'packaged; the ease with which the packaging machine vmay be jloaded with items to be packaged -uti lizing the loading structure; the ability to remove and replace the loading structure when it is :not desired for the types of 4items to be packaged due, for example, to

,the 4drawirigs in which:

Figure 1 is a ,perspective view of a portion Vof .a packagingV machine showing .the loading ,device thereon;

Pgtlle` `2 is a partial side elevation of a loading device;

aging.

Patented July l.5, 1.960

Figure 3 is a section taken at line 3-3 of Figure v2;

'Figure 4 is a partial plan view of a power actuated llatchlmeehanism employed in the embodiment of Figures Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a control for the embodiment of Figures 1 3; and

Figure 6 is a partial plan view of an alternative power latch mechanism for use in place of that illustrated in Figures l-5.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a packaging machine, lgenerally @10. Basically this packaging machine that has been shown is of conventional manufacture to which has been added the loading device we have devised, generally 11. The packaging machine 10l includes a case 12 within which are the sealing heads and the cutting device for separating a formed bag from the sheets from which the bag was formed. A pair of guides 13 direct the sheets of packaging material, with the item to be packed therein, -into an opening 14 to position them properly for the sealing and cutting operations within case V'12.

An upright 16 supports the -roll of packaging films and the mechanism for paying out the film during the loading and sealing operation. Projecting from and supported by the -upright 16 are a pair of arms 17. On the end of one of the arms and also on upright y1-6 are members 18 Ywhich support the roll 19 of film. The sheets 20 and 21 are joined along their rear longitudinal edges, line 22. Each -time a bag is formed and cut olf from the films sealed portion 23 remains, which sealpforms a side of the succeeding bag and holds the item to be packaged in that bag while the lsucceeding bag is being formed.

From roll 19 -the 4two sheets of film are separated Iafter they pass over roller 26 4and hang down to define a space within which the item Atobe packaged Vis inserted for pack- Between the roll -of film 19 and roller 26 is Aa payout and positioning mechanism, generally 2,7, about which the two sheets of film are threaded. nIn the `operation of the machine the film is paid out after the actuating switch is energized to drop the `films with the item to be packaged through opening 14 to the sealing heads. After a -bag is formed the -film is raised slightly so as to properly position -the film for the insertion of the next item to be packaged.

vrThe loading device '11 which we have devised yis mounted by means of afdxing acrossbar 35 between arms 17 of the packaging machine. A horizontal supporting mem-ber 36 is mounted -on crossbar 35. A rail 37 isca'rried from supporting -member 36 by means 4of brackets 38 and 39 at each end of the rail.

A carriage, generally 41, moves into and out of the space between films 20 and 21 along rail '37 and -carries the supporting means for moving the items-to 'be packaged into this space. The carriage 41 includes four `longitudinal side members .42, 43, 44, and 45. vSide members 44 and 45 .are connected Iby crossmembers 46. Side members 42 and `43 are similarly connected (as seen-in `Figure 3) by extensions of the bars vof the fixed gripping member as lhereinafter described. A plurality ofwheels 4.8 .are vjournalled on axles 49 .aixed to and :forming spacers for pairs of side members 42-44 and 43-4'5.

O n one side of carriage `41 is a vdepending fixedgripping member formed by longitudinal bar 52. jBar 5 2 is supported from `,carriage 41 by a Vplurality of generally vertical Vbars 53. As .will be seen .in I'Figure 3, members 53 are attached to vside members 42 and 43 and `serve as crossmembers for the upper `A`and lower portions :of `the carriage. A movable clamping memberyis .formed by longitudinal bar .S4 supported by ,va-plurality of .vertical members 5 5. Members 55 are pivotally connectedby v pins 5.6 to a plurality of lugs 157 aixed-to side member 44.

`snap action switch 84.

Forming the upper end of lthe middle vertical member 55 is an upstanding lever 59. Lever 59 connects the movable gripping member to the power latch mechanism for holding the gripping member closed. Depending from lever 59 is a roller 60 which is engaged by a latch plate 61. Latch plate 61 is slideably mounted on guide 62 attached to side member 42. Latch plate 61 also is attached to the piston rod 63 of an air cylinder 64. Opposite air cylinder 64 is a second air cylinder 65 having a piston rod 66 in alignment with latch plate 61. Latch plate 61 has a pair of recesses 67 and 623 to engage roller 60 at the latched and unlatched positions of the movable clamping member represented by bar 54.

At the outer end of rail 37 is an air cylinder 71 having a piston rod 72 in alignment with one of the axles `49 of carriage 41. Cylinder 71 is mounted on bracket 33 that supports the end of rail 37. At the opposite end of rail 37 is an air cylinder 73 having a piston rod 74. Cylinder 73 is supported by a bracket 75 attached to horizontal support member 36. Cylinder 73 is mounted above the level of carriage 41 and in alignment with a kickplate 76 secured between members 42 and 44 of carriage 41. When carriage 41 is fully within the space defined by the sheets 20 and 21, piston rod 74 will be against kickplate '76.

Fastened to side members 42 and y44 and extending upwardly therefrom is a support bracket 77 which carries a magnet 78 as well as an extending finger 79. When carriage 41 is fully within the space defined by sheets 20 and 21, magnet 'i8 will engage cross-member 75 to hold the carriage in place. At the same time finger 79 will contact the actuating member 80 of a switch 81.

Also on support bracket 47 is a second switch operating linger 82 which contacts the actuating member 83 of a Magnets 85 and 86 hold the carriage in position for loading as seen in Figure 2.

On bracket 38 below air cylinder 71 is a snap` action switch 87 having an actuating member 88. Member 88 is operated by means of a iinger 89 on an arm 90 which is attached to the left vertical member 55 as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 5, cylinders 64, 65, 71, and 73 are operated by air pressure from a suitable source 95. From source 95 a pipe 96 leads to valves 97 and 98, respectively. Each of the valves 97 and 98 is a normally closed valve which is operated by an armature moved by actuating coils 99 and 100, respectively. From valve 97 a pipe 101 leads to air cylinders 64 and 71. A pipe 102 leads from valve 98 to air cylinder 65. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a portion of pipes 101 and 102 are tiexible tubes so as not to interfere with the movement of carriage 41.

Pipes S and 106 connect air cylinder 73 with the source of air pressure 95 with a valve 107 being interposed between the two pipes. Valve 107 is a normally closed valve operated by coil 108 by means of an armature within the coil. Coil 108 is connected in series with the contacts 109 of a normally open time delay relay having a coil 110. Contacts 109 are also in series with switch 81. In addition, switch 81 is in series with coil 110 and with the bag forming machine 10. Switches 84 and 87 are in series with coils 100 and 99, respectively.

For illustrative purposes the items described as being packages are wiping cloths or towels. These may be stacked in a pile 115 on the top of the forming machine 10. The operator removes a given number of cloths from this pile and holds them between the fixed gripper as represented by bar 52 and the movable gripper as represented by bar 54. Such position is illustrated at 116 in Figure 1. While holding the cloths in this position, the operators fingers move the movable gripper towards the fixed gripper. This removes roller 60 from recess 67 in cam plate 61. At the same time linger 89 actuates switch 87 so as to open valve 97 and apply air pressure to air cylinders 64 and 71. The air pressure in cylinder 64 moves cam plate 61 to the left so that roller 60 enters notch 68 in cam plate 61. The air ressure applied to cylinder 71 causes piston rod 72 to contact axle 49 of carriage 41 and kick the carriage 41 to the right in the drawings, thus moving the carriage between sheets 20 and 21. As this movement occurs, iinger 89 will move oif of actuating member 88 to permit switch 87 to open. Thus, air pressure will no longer be applied to cylinder 64 and 71. However, roller 60 will remain in notch 68 to hold the cloths 116 between the two gripping members.

When the carriage 41 reaches the end of its path of travel and cloths 116 which are to be packaged are in the desired position between sheets 20 and 21, switch 84 will be actuated by finger 82 contacting actuating member 83. Closing switch 84 opens valve 48 and applies air pressure to air cylinder 85. This results in piston rod 66 striking the end of cam plate 61 to move the cam plate to the right in Figure 4 with roller 60 moving out of notch 68 and eventually coming to rest in notch 67. Thus movable member 54 releases cloths 116 which drop into the space between sheets 20 and 21 being supported by the seam 23 across these sheets.

At the same time the switch 81 is closed by finger 79 contacting actuating member 80 of that switch. Switch 81 initiates the packaging cycle of bag forming machine 10. During this cycle as previously explained, the sheets 20 and 21 are lowered through opening 14. A seal is made across the two sheets parallel to seal 23 with the film being severed intermediate of that new seal so as to leave a side seal on the bag in which cloths 116 remain as well as to form a new seal 23. Switch 81 at the same time energized coil but because of the time delay contacts 109 have not closed immediately. After a predetermined time delay, contacts 109 close and energize coil 108 to open normally closed valve 107 and apply air pressure to cylinder 73. This results in piston 74 contacting kickplate 76 to push carriage 41 to the left in the drawings and return the carriage to the position illustrated in 'Figures 1 and 2. The return movement of the carriage again opens switches 81 and 84. The device is now set for a successive cycle in the packaging operation.

In order to define an adequate and properly shaped space between lilms 20 and 21 for the movment of carriage 41 as described and to properly receive the items to be packaged, we use a plurality of fingers formed by wires 120--125 These are resilient and have sutlicient rigidity to hold the light film apart in substantially the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 but at the same time do not interfere with the movement of the film as it is lowered into the packaging machine 10. To prevent the film from catching on the ends of lingers 1Z0-125, the ends thereof are provided with balls 126.

The foregoing description of a specific embodiment is for the purpose of complying with 35 U.S.C. 112 and should not be construed as imposing unnecessary limitations on the appended claims inasmuch as modifications therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, valves 97, 98, and 107 could be fourway valves rather than the on-off type valves illustrated. The fingers illustrated by wires 1Z0-125 need not be positioned in the exact shape illustrated in the drawings and in packaging other types of items a different positioning of the fingers might prove desirable.

Another possible modification is illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 6 illustrates an alternative form of power latch mechanism that might be used for the movable gripping member as illustrated by bar y54. In this embodiment a plate is connected to and supported by side members 42 and 44. On plate 130 is a latch 131 pivotally mounted on pin 132. One end of latch 131 has a foot '33which engages roller 460 to hold bar 154 inthe clamping position as illustrated inFigure 46 The-.opposite end of latch i131 forms an actuating lever 134. Spring 135 is held in compression .between a cup .136 on latch 131 land va cup '137 :on adjusting screw I138. Adjusting screw v138 is .threaded in fan upright 139 on plate 130. The clockwise movement of latch 131 is limited by a Ipin 140 which projects upwardly from lplate 130. An extension spring 141 connects lever 59 with an adjusting :screw 142 `on `an upright 143 :of plate 130. An vactuating bar 144 :travel .of y'the scarriage, actuating bar '144 contacts actuating'lever 134 to rotate latch 131 in acounterclockwise direction. This releases roller V60 'from foot 133` and :allows fspring 141to-pul1'lever 594toward adjusting screw 142, thus :moving 'bar 54 away from Vbar 52 'to permit the-cloths v116 to drop within the two sheets of iiilm 20 and 'When 4the carriage returns to the outside as illustrated in Figures l and 2, :spring 137 returns latch 1131 to the position illustrated in Figure `6, but at this time roller 60 sis :on the side of foot 133- adjacent adjusting Ascrew 142. "When a new set :of cloths are loaded 'between "bars 52 land 54 bythe `operator .and the operator moves bar 54 toward bar 52, roller 60 pushes Vby foot 133, compressing spring 1135. As soon as roller 60 clears foot 133 spring "135 `returns the latch 1131 against pin 140, the

position v.illustrated in Figure `6.

Another ymodification is illustrated in Figure 5. In

Nsome of rthe bag forming machines 10, air pressure iis em- -ployed for y,actuating a portion of the Aapparatus of the :forming imachine.

In this case a pipe 147 connects the bag :forming `machine with pipe 105 and source of `air 4pressure '95. Usually in such bag forming machines at theiend kof .a .cycle :air is released from air cylinders lin -theimachine lIn .such afcase the air released is conveyed 'through y.a pipe 148 torair cylinder 73 to 4operate the kick-back 'of the carriage Y41. lIn isuch .a case the time delay valve mechanism, generally 149, comprising valve 107--108 and relay '10B-11.0, ymay :be dispensed with. At the end of the cycle when a bag is formed the air released from the bag forming machine through pipe 148 operates piston rod 74 to contact kick plate 76 and return the carriage to the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

We claim:

l. A loading device for use with a packaging machine of the type wherein an item to be packaged is inserted between two spaced, suspended sheets of packaging material, said device comprising: a frame; and a carrier supported on said frame for movement into and out of the space between said sheets, said carrier including a iirst gripping member and a second gripping member, said second member being movable toward and away from said fixed grpiping member to engage said item therebetween, power means operatively connected to said second member to hold said second member in a first position against an item between said members and to release said second member from against said item when said carrier is positioned in said space, and means operatively connecting said second member and said power means to hold said second member in said rst position after said second member has been moved to that position.

2. A loading device for use with a packaging machine of the type wherein an item to be packaged is inserted between two spaced, suspended sheets of packaging material, said device comprising: a frame; a rail attached to said frame and projecting into the space between said sheets; a carriage movable along said rail into and out of said space; and item carrying means mounted on said carriage, said carrying means including a first Agripping vmemberand a second gripping member, -said secondmem- Aond member hasbeen manually moved `to that position.

3. A `loading device for use with .a packaging machine of the type wherein an item to :be packaged is inserted between twospaced, suspended sheets of packaging material connected along two of their adjacent vertical edges, said device comprising: :a frame; means mounted on said frame adjacent the other'two vertical-edges vof lsaid sheets and projecting into the rspace between said ,sheets to hold ysaid sheets spaced apart and to ydefine .an opening into said jspace along said other edges; and a carrier supported non said iframe for movement into and `out of said space through said opening, said carrier including a -first grippring member and second gripping member, said second member being movable toward and away from said fixed gripping member to engage said item therebetween, power means operatively ,connected to said second member towhold said second member in a first position against .an item between `said members and to release said second member from Vagainst `said Vitem vwhen said carrier is positioned in -said space, and means Aoperatively connecting said second member .and said power means to hold said second member in said first position after said second member has 'been manually moved to that position.

-4. Ajloading device -for use-with vva packaging machine of the vtype wherein anzitem to be packed is inserted between two spaced, suspended sheets of Apackaging material connected along two of their adjacent vertical edges, saiddevice comprising: a1frame; means mounted on said frame adjacent the `other -tWo -verticaltedges ofsaid sheets and projecting into the space ybetween said sheets to hold said sheets spaced apart and to deiine .an opening Yinto said 'space along said other edges; a rail -attached to Vsaid frame and projectingv into said space through saidfropening;

.a .carriage movable :along said rail into :and :out :of said space through said opening; and item carrying means mounted on said carriage, said carrying means including a iirst gripping member and a second gripping member, said second member being movable toward and away from said iixed gripping member to engage said item therebetween, power means operatively connected to said second member to hold said second member in a i'irst position against an item between said members and to release said second member from against said item when said carriage is positioned in said space, and means operatively connecting said second member and said power means to hold said second member in said iirst position after said second member has been manually moved to that position.

5` A loading device for use with a packaging machine of the type wherein an item to be packaged is inserted between two spaced, suspended sheets of pack-aging material, said device comprising: a frame; a carrier supported on said frame for movement intol and out of the space between said sheets, said carrier including a first gripping member and a second gripping member, said second member being movable toward and away from said fixed gripping member to engage said item therebetween, power means operatively connected to said second member to hold said second member in a iirst position against an item between said members and to release said second member from against said item when said carrier is positioned in said space, means operatively connecting said second member and said power means to hold said second member in said iirst position after said second member has been manually moved to that said second member has been moved to release said item.

6. A loading device `for use with a packaging machine of the type wherein an item to be packaged is inserted between two spaced, suspended sheets of packaging material connected along two of their adjacent vertical edges, said device comprising: a frame; means mounted on said frame adjacent the other two vertical edges of said sheets and projecting into the space between said sheets to hold said sheets spaced apart and to define an opening into said space along said other edges; a rail attached to said frame and projecting into said space through said opening; a carriage movable along said rail into and out of said space through said opening; item carrying means mounted on said carriage, said carrying means including a iirst gripping member and a second gripping member, said second member being movable toward and away from said fixed gripping member to engage said item therebetween, power means operatively connected to said second member to hold said second member in a first position against an item between said members and to release said second member from against said item when said carriage is positioned in said space, means operatively connecting said second member and said power means to hold said second member in said irst position after said second member has been manually moved to that position; and power operated kick-back means mounted at the end of said rail adjacent said connected edges to move said carriage out of said space a predetermined length of time after the carriage has been moved into said space.

7. A loading device for use with a packaging machine of the type wherein an item to be packaged is inserted between two` spaced, suspended sheets of packaging mater-ial, said device comprising: a `frame; a rail attached to said frame and projecting into the space between said sheets; a carriage movable along said rail into and out of said space; and item carrying means mounted on said carriage, said carrying means including a ixed gripping member depending from said carriage below said rail, a second gripping member pivotally attached to said carriage and extending below said rail in juxtaposition with said fixed member, said second member being movable from a tirst position at which an item will be held between said members and a second position at which said members are spaced a greater distance apart, a power actuated latch mounted on said carriage and associated with said second member to hold said second member in said irst position, and means associated with said latch to Arelease said latch and permit said second member to move to said second position allowing said item to fall when said carriage reaches a predetermined position in said space.

8. A packaging machine for forming a bag of a heat scalable film about an item to be packaged, said device including: a sealing head', means to feed two sheets of said ilm joined along one edge of each sheet in a vertical direction with said edges generally vertical into said head; a plurality of fingers extending between said sheets from adjacent the other vertical edges of said sheets to space said sheets apart and define an opening defined by said other edges for the space between the sheets; and a carrier movable into and out of said space through said opening, said carrier including a first gripping member and a second gripping member, said second member being movable toward and away from said rst gripping member to engage said item therebetween, power means operatively connected to said second member to hold said second member in a rst position against an item between said members and to release said second member from against said item when said carrier is positioned in said space, a latch mean operatively connecting said second member and said power means to` hold said second member in said first position.

9. A loading device for a packaging machine of the type wherein an item to be packaged is inserted between two spaced, suspended sheets of packaging material, said device comprising: a frame; and a carrier supported on said frame for movement into and out of the space between said sheets, said carrier including a pair of relatively movable gripping members effective to engage said item therebetween, power means operably connected to said members to hold the same in engaging relation to said item therebetween, and to release said members when the carrier is positioned in said space, and means effective on movement ofthe gripping members to engage said item to energize the power means and hold said item.

No references cited. 

